Edible flower Salad

Oh isn't this pretty? I grew Nasturtium in my garden this year, and it has proven to be an easy to grow plant, beautiful and tasty! You can eat the entire plant, leaves and flowers. Here are some tips on growing Nasturtiums.

15 years later...

LONG AGO in the days of my teenage hood in Vermont, my mom started this quilt, which I loved. It was originally for her bed, but it never got finished because like someone who took after her, she never finished anything for herself! Well, 15 years later I inherited the unfinished blocks, and one day whipped up this little lap quilt. Yay! It feels so good to give it life after years and years in a box:) Also it's comfy! I took a risk and used polar fleece on the back. Call me lazy or cheap, but it's nice and warm, and didn't need batting.
Why is this on my cooking blog you say? Cause I'm slowly taking over with quilts. Just watch.

You wish you had these SPRING ROLLS and STIR FRY

Yes that says "squid brand" on the fish sauce bottle. But don't worry, it's not really squid. It's anchovy water. These are way too complicated and you won't want to make them (or I'm too lazy to type the recipe), I just had to brag on Josh. If you come visit ask for these. Worth the HUGE MESS it makes. Seriously.

BEFORE

AFTER

Night of the Living Tomato Plants

Holy Tomato Plants!!!! I didn't expect this, and am already chastising myself for not caging these beasts early in spring. Those huge bushy things in the front are Basil. Things in the pots are various herbs.

Here are a few flowers that a friend gave me. Wasn't sure if they would live cause they were close to dead when I transplanted. But...ta da! Rebechia, Echinacia, and Nasturtium. Pardon the weeds...Tomato Recipes to follow. 

Garlic Basil Toast with Robots

It's not that we never cook...it's just that I let my friends do the hard work of discovering new recipes, and then make what they made;) But, a week or so ago, we made this:

Slice French or Italian bread, arrange on a cookie sheet. 

In a small bowl, mix:

1 stick of butter softened

a bunch of garlic to taste (2-4 cloves?)

Parmesan cheese (a handful?)

salt and pepper

a large handful of chopped herbs from your garden (probably like...3 Tablespoons when chopped)

this time I used: Thyme, Basil, Oregano and Rosemary. Less of the others, more of Basil. 

Spread a ridiculous amount of the butter mixture on each piece of toast, then bake at 350 center rack for 10 min. Since we're not doing rocket science or experiments for the government, you can just put in a pinch of this, a handful of that, I love this kind of thing. 

My Garden

It hasn't died yet! Cross your fingers!

If I can't BE Rainbow Brite...

At least we can make her cupcakes....
These were kind of a pain initially, but they are so darn cute, and what a surprise when you bite into them!!!
I think next time I might do a whole cake, so that it won't take as long. But really, they are so cute it's work a little effort. At least the batter is super easy. From my friend Toni's blog, who got it from this blog...
http://thegirlwhoateeverything.blogspot.com/2010/03/because-life-isnt-always-rainbows-and.html
Rainbow Cupcakes
I think they need to be called "Rainbow Sprinkle-Sparkle Treats" or something like that.